Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Annual Report 2018-19

Aboriginal Heritage Walk
Indigenous Employment and
Partnerships
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s
commitment to increasing representation
and employment for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islanders resulted in
the creation of two new Indigenous
specified positions, with a total of six
Indigenous Programming staff across
both sites. Significantly, one Indigenous
staff member has Traditional Custodian
connection to the Royal Botanic Gardens
Victoria sites. This year there was an
increase in local Indigenous participation
in Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s First
Nation programs via a ‘no charge’ offer
for First Nations people to participate in
Aboriginal-led programs and tours.
Discussions with the Victorian Aboriginal
Child Care Agency, Nairm Marr Djambana
Frankston Gathering Place, Willum
Warrain Gathering Place and the Koori
Engagement Support Officer’s network
have resulted in active engagement
of representatives from these
organisations in Royal Botanic Gardens
Victoria’s programs. Similarly, Royal
Botanic Gardens Victoria’s mainly First
Nations staff have engaged with these
organisations’ programs.
Indigenous Governance
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria continues
ongoing discussions and relationship
development with Traditional Owner
groups and key relevant agencies. In
2018–19, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
undertook consultation meetings with
the Boon Wurrung Foundation, Bunurong
Land Council Aboriginal Corporation,
Wurundjeri Tribe Land and Compensation
Cultural Heritage Council regarding
its Melbourne Gardens Master Plan. It
resolved to undertake a voluntary Cultural
Heritage Management Plan for the Nature
and Science Precinct area.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has
committed to embark on a Reflective
Reconciliation Action Plan and further
discussions with the Traditional Owner
groups, which are scheduled to continue
in 2019–20.
Learning and Participation
Expansive and vibrant schools programs
from early years to tertiary levels were
delivered to over 37,000 students this
year.
Programs focused on connection to
country, plant life and biodiversity,
wellbeing in nature, sustainability and
developing an enhanced understanding of
plant life to foster a sense of wonder, care
and curiosity for the natural world.
Programs included excursions to Royal
Botanic Gardens Victoria sites, in-school
visits by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
staff as well as a range of student work
experience and community outreach
opportunities. All programs promoted the
principles of a resilient and sustainable
future.
Significant highlights across the year
were each of the school partnership
programs, which Royal Botanic Gardens
Victoria developed with St. John’s Primary
School, Footscray, Carlton North Primary
School and St. Joseph’s Primary School,
Springvale. The programs responded
to the particular needs of each school
through the Royal Botanic Gardens
Victoria lens of nature, sustainability,
culture and science. These resulted in
new approaches to nature-based learning
being adopted within classrooms, the
creation of sustainable kitchens, sensory
and bushfood gardens within schools, and
increased understanding and appreciation
of Indigenous perspectives of plants and
environment.
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